On a boat, the factors that threaten our computers are legion. Although not all boats are equipped with them, more and more crews are taking them on board, either for navigation or to work or play on board. The sea water and the salty environment, our constantly wet hands or the sand that we bring on board. All of this puts our PCs and macs to the test.
Humidity is to be fought
If it would never occur to anyone to use a computer in a rainstorm on deck, how many of us have dry hands before using a mouse or keyboard? In principle, an occasional use with wet hands will not be a problem. It is by repeating this unfortunate habit that your equipment will deteriorate irreparably. If it is complicated to think about wiping your hands every time you use it, using a waterproof mouse is much easier, especially since it will also be waterproof against dust and sand most of the time.
The budget for such a waterproof mouse remains around thirty euros. Opt for a wired model to avoid seeing the mouse flying in the square on the one hand. And to add new sources of electromagnetic disturbances on the other hand.
Avoiding wireless devices
Like the mouse and its fear of water, the keyboard will not stand being wet for long. Chosen as a wired keyboard for the same reasons as the mouse, the waterproof silicone keyboard will cost about 20 euros at most. Easy to clean (except for the USB connector, which must be protected from water), it will remain dust, sand and waterproof for as long as you use it.
If it is effective to have peripherals that are resistant to the marine elements, it is also necessary to think about avoiding, as much as possible, that humidity can penetrate the computer. To do this, it is out of the question to lock it up in a box, as it will soon become too hot and break down. Don't think of operating it by folding the cover down either, the keyboard is also a ventilation element. We recommend that you cover all unused ports (USB, serial, Jack ...) with waterproof plugs. You can find sets of waterproof covers for USB ports for a handful of euros. Similarly, covers for 3.5 mm jacks or SATA ports of our computers should be plugged as much as possible.
The screen should be cleaned as often as possible
The screen, too, will have to be protected. Once again, it is out of the question to lock it in a bag or anything waterproof, it needs to cool down. And such an arrangement will cause condensation to form, which is harmful to the computer's components. Against dust and sand and to maintain an efficient display, we recommend you to use a screen protector designed to be hidden from view in corners. They are polarized and their surface will prevent dirt from clinging. Before and after each use, clean the screen with a soft cloth (a microfiber eyeglass cloth) that you will store in a box away from dust and sand. Before using it, shake it to remove dust from the previous cleaning. If necessary (to remove fingerprints in particular), use an alcoholic solution to clean the screen, making sure you have dusted it beforehand, otherwise the sandpaper effect is guaranteed!
All in all, clean all the computer equipment (keyboard, mouse, power supply, computer ...) as often as possible, to avoid the formation of dust on the ventilation holes. A regular brushstroke with the computer turned off will combat this microscopic enemy. Absolutely avoid blowing or, even worse, using compressed air in a spray can, which may push dust and sand inside the equipment!
Necessary protection of cleaning accessories
If the equipment itself is not computer-safe, the same is true for the cleaning utensils, which need to be stored away from humidity. Very simply, a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid and a moisture-absorbing bag - or even the cap of a medicine tube - will do the trick.
